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Members of the City of Tonawanda Employees Association have agreed to a seven-year contract that would give union members a 3.5 percent raise each year but require new employees to pay for their health care insurance for three or more years.

"Health care has really gotten expensive over the years and I really think every municipality is trying to figure out ways to control those costs as much as they can," said Mayor Rick Davis.

There are approximately 45 members of CTEA, which includes the department of public works, parks department and custodial staff. The contract was tentatively settled following three and a half months of negotiations.

The Common Council signed a memorandum of understanding at its meeting Tuesday night authorizing the mayor to sign the contract with the bargaining unit, which will be in place from January 2017 to December 2023.

The contract will also give the city more flexibility in opening and closing parks bathrooms, both earlier and later in the season, said Davis.